CES is dead for high-end audio and it’s more than apparent that manufacturers are perfectly fine with that reality. Our coverage of CES 2023 made it rather clear that very few vendors view the world’s largest CE showcase as being relevant anymore and that smaller regional shows are the best way to meet with media and potential customers in a less frantic environment.
Munich and Warsaw have become the premier audio shows in Europe and demographic shifts in N. America have forced companies to go where people are moving. New York City has lost its luster when it comes to high-end audio trade shows; with CanJam NYC being the lone exception and focused on headphones and personal audio.
Florida is the place to be in early 2023 and the pandemic accelerated that in a very real way. Editor in-Chief, Ian White, has spent the better part of the past year traveling back and forth between NJ and Florida because of an ailing parent and has witnessed the growth of the housing market and CI category all across Palm Beach and Broward Counties first-hand. Tampa might be on the other side of the state, but the growth there has been exponential and a lot of it has been younger families and the 45-55 crowd looking to escape California, New York, and New Jersey.
Just in its 4th year, the Florida Audio Expo held in Tampa is a show that is getting a lot of attention, and this year promises to be even better. The 2023 Show will take place from February 17th through the 19th.
Naim/Focal have announced that they will be on hand at the Florida International Audio Expo to showcase several key products that attendees can experience.
We have covered these products previously and also had a chance to experience some of their products hands-on during CES 2023. Here is a brief peek at what they will be showing in Tampa.
Tip: Focal and Naim products can be purchased through Focal/Naim Stores and Authorized Dealers.
Focal Vestia Loudspeakers
The Vestia series is Focal’s “affordable” speaker line. The five speaker models are Vestia N°2, Vestia N°3, and Vestia N°4 floorstanding models. In addition, Focal includes the Vestia N°1 bookshelf loudspeaker and Center channel speaker.
Vestia Core Features
- The Vestia line incorporates a visually pleasing design that blends in with any decor.
- Slatefiber cone for the midrange and bass drivers. The Slatefiber is made from recycled carbon fibers.
- Focal also incorporates its innovative ‘M’-shaped dome TAM tweeter to optimize treble response.
- Vestia loudspeakers include a front-directed port for impact and a rear port for extended low-frequency bass response.
Vestia finish options include Black High Gloss, Dark Wood, or Light Wood for the side panels and a black or white leather effect for the front panels. Added finish details include metallic rings that surround the drivers. A matching grill is provided with each speaker for those that don’t like to have the cones exposed.
Vestia Loudspeaker Prices:
- N°1 2-Way Bass Reflex Bookshelf Speaker: $599 each
- N°2 3-Way Bass Reflex Floostanding Speaker: $1,399 each
- N°3 3-Way Bass Reflex Floorstanding Speaker: $1,799 each
- N°4: 3-Way Bass Reflex Floorstanding Speaker: $2,199 each
- Vestia Center 2-Way Bass Reflex: $699 each
For more feature and specification details, read our previous report: Focal’s Vestia Loudspeaker Lineup Delivers Affordable High-End Performance
Focal Littora
The Focal Littora 200 OD Series Loudspeakers are designed to deliver a better sonic experience outdoors and also survive the weather.
The Littora line comprised three models: OD Sat 5, OD Stone 8, and OD Sub 12.
The OD Stone 8 loudspeaker has a unique design, “pebble”-shaped and with sleek finishes.
The OD Sat 5 is a discreet and versatile loudspeaker supplied with brackets for in-wall or in-floor installation.
The OD Sub 12 is a semi-buried subwoofer offering powerful and enveloping bass to systems.
Littora speakers can use individually or together as a complete system, these three models promise harmonious installation and a high-end outdoor sound.
Littora Prices
- OD Sat 5: $679
- OD Stone 8: $799
- OD Sub 12: $1,999
- Bundle 4.1: 4x OD Sat 5’s + 1x OD Sub 12: $3,999
For more details, read our previous report: Focal’s Littora 200 OD Series Loudspeakers Will Survive Your Outdoor Listening Experience
Naim New Classic Series
Naim Audio launched in 1973 with the simple aim of allowing music listeners to experience music in its purest form; that quest also included a strong emphasis on pace, rhythm, attack, and timing. That ethos has been at the core of every Naim component and continues with the New Classic Series.
The New Classic Series includes three components:
NSC 222 Streaming Pre-amplifier
The NSC 222 incorporates configurable inputs (sensitivity pre-set, naming, AV bypass mode, and unused input disabling).
The NSC 222 provides access to Spotify, Tidal (including Tidal Connect), Qobuz, Apple Music, internet radio, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, UPnP servers, USB attached storage, and supports bitrates up to 32-bit/384kHz. Bluetooth (aptX) is also supported. Multi-room capability with other Naim streaming products is also included. The NSC 222 is also Roon Ready.
For vinyl fans, the NSC 222 includes a dedicated MM phono stage.
The NSC 222 also includes Naim’s latest headphone technology as featured in the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition. No matter what headphones you use, you will get the best listening experience possible.
NAP 250 power amplifier (new generation)
The NAP 250 two-channel Class A/B power amp is designed to deliver more power, better performance, and additional system-matching flexibility.
The new NAP 250 incorporates a 100W per channel dual-mode design, with full power regulation, and volume responsive heatsink.
NPX 300 Power Supply
NPX 300 power supply can be used as an instant upgrade for the NSC 222 streaming pre-amplifier or NAP 250 power amp. It disables and bypasses the internal power supply of the compatible Naim component it is connected to – immediately reducing the noise floor further still – providing superior clean power.
The NPX 300 also provides an instant power supply upgrade for Naim 200 & 300 Series sources and pre-amplifiers.
The NPX 300 includes two internal power supplies.
- One: Audiophile linear type, based on a large toroidal transformer.
- Two: Highly efficient SMPSU (Switch Mode Power Supply Unit) for 0.5W power consumption when in standby mode.
Prices for Naim’s New Classic Components are:
- NSC 222 – $8,999 USD
- NAP 250 – $8,999 USD
- NPX 300 – $8,999 USD
For more details, read our previous report: Naim’s New Classic Series Unleashes Reference Quality Streaming And Power
Demo System for the Florida International Audio Expo
While the Focal Vestia, Littora, and New Classic Series are being exhibited, the big star of the show is going to be an ultra-high-end demo system consisting of the Focal Maestro Utopia EVO speakers and Naim Statement Amplifier system.
Focal Maestro Utopia Evo Loudspeakers
The Maestro Utopia Evo loudspeakers integrate a range of innovations and essential detailing, making them completely unique. Focal’s Utopia speakers are at the top of the hill.
Key features
- 3-way column loudspeaker (bass reflex)
- High efficiency, high power handling
- Technologies carried over from the Utopia III: Beryllium, IAL2™, TMD suspension, NIC magnet, Focus Time™, OPC+™, W™, Power Flower™, Gamma Structure™
- MDS (Magnetic Damping System), for adapting the bass to the listening room
- Customizable sound with adjustable bass, mid-range, and treble levels
Maestro Utopia Evo Price: $37,999 each / $75,998 pair
For more details, go to the Official Focal Maestro Utopia Speakers Product Page.
Naim Statement
The Naim Audio flagship Statement Amplification System includes one preamplifier (model NAC S1) and two mono power amplifiers (model NAP S1) for the most demanding high-end loudspeakers (hopefully you are using Focals!).
Each mono power amplifier is rated at a massive 746 watts (one horsepower) into 8 ohms, 1450 watts into 4 ohms, and over 9000 watts burst power into 1 ohm.
Tip: What is interesting is that the Statement system was introduced in 2014 and is still going strong.
The NAC S1 preamplifier and NAP S1 mono power amplifiers are priced: at $99,999 each or $299,997 for the entire Statement System.
For more detailed information on features and specifications, read out the previous report: Naim Statement Amplification System
Naim NDX 2 Network Player
To provide content for the Focal Maestro Utopia EVO and Naim Statement System demo, the Naim NDX 2 Network Player is being used.
The NDX2 can access content from a variety of sources, including high-res UPnPTM streaming, AirPlay, AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Bluetooth (aptX HD), Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, Roon compatibility, vTuner internet radio, as well as digital and USB inputs.
The NDX network player is designed to provide excellent performance from its DAC and discrete analog stages. These features allow the NDX 2 to provide highly immersive and lively music listening quality.
The NDX2 is priced at $8,799.
For more details, go to the official Naim NDX2 product page.
The total system price is $384,794.
However, one could choose to pair the Focal Maestro Utopia Evo Loudspeakers with Naim Audio’s New Classic Series for a total system price of $102,995.
Related Reading: Orchard Audio to Serve PecanPi and Starkrimson Pears at Florida Audio Expo 2023
